Summary

In this conversation, Amy Halverson interviews Terri Jorstad, a licensed marriage and family therapist with a focus on executive functioning, trauma, and sensory soothing. Terri shares her background and how she became interested in therapy, particularly in working with neuro-atypical populations. She emphasizes the importance of understanding developmental psychology and the impact of early childhood experiences on our lives. Terri discusses the use of sensory soothing techniques, such as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and yoga, to regulate the body and calm the mind. She also highlights the integration of executive functioning and trauma treatment in therapy. Overall, Terri emphasizes the importance of being gentle with ourselves and holding ourselves accountable as we navigate our own personal growth and healing.

Takeaways

Understanding developmental psychology is crucial in therapy, as it helps us make sense of our experiences and supports self-knowledge and integration.

Sensory soothing techniques, such as Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) and yoga, can be powerful tools for regulating the body and calming the mind.

Integrating executive functioning and trauma treatment can lead to more effective therapy outcomes.

Being gentle with ourselves and holding ourselves accountable allows us to do the work of therapy and live the kind of life we want.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:23 Interest in Therapy and Specialization

04:20 Importance of Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)

05:23 Understanding Temperament and Goodness of Fit

06:23 Applying Developmental Psychology to Couples Therapy

07:27 The Role of Developmental Psychology in Understanding Ourselves

08:55 Being Gentle with Ourselves and Holding Ourselves Accountable

09:55 Using Parts Talk and Understanding the Complexity of the Self

10:09 Working with Neurological Disorders and Sensory Soothing

13:08 Using Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) for Body Calming

16:13 The Power of Mindfulness and Breathing Techniques

18:36 Integrating Executive Functioning and Trauma Treatment

21:03 Creating New Neural Pathways and Stepping into Agency

23:26 Building Resources and Establishing Trust in Therapy

25:11 Accessibility and Payment Options

28:46 Additional Resources and Recommendations

29:03 Self-Care Practices: Yoga and Creativity

31:09 Conclusion and Contact Information